Staff

The Authority also employs approximately 140 staff (c. 120 full-time equivalents).  They are managed by the Chief Executive, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Authority.

These staff are organised into six departments. To find out what they do, click on the links below:

• Conservation & Policy
• External Affairs
• Finance & Resources
• Park Management
• Planning
• Secretariat

Staff operate from two main offices. The Secretariat, Planning and Finance and Resources departments are managed from Yoredale - our office at Bainbridge in Wensleydale, whilst the Park Management and External Affairs departments are managed from Colvend - our office at Grassington in Wharfedale. The Conservation and Policy Department is split between both offices.

There are also five National Park Centres at, Aysgarth Falls, Grassington, Hawes, Malham, and Reeth.

You can contact staff in any department by calling 0870 1 666333.

Conservation & Policy contributes to local and national decisions about taking care of the environment. Our aim is to conserve and enhance the characteristic diversity of the Yorkshire Dales National Park for the appreciation of residents and visitors, and for long-term sustainability. Our team of specialist staff – ecologists, woodland officers, farm and conservation advisors, building conservation experts and archaeologists - oversees practical conservation work throughout the National Park.

Head of Conservation & Policy: Gary Smith

External Affairs helps people to understand and enjoy the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We do this through events, booklets, newspapers, local schools, the website, National Park Centres and the award-winning Dales Countryside Museum.

Head of External Affairs: Annie Galloway

Finance & Resources takes care of anything to do with money, staffing and the Authority's buildings. We help the Authority to plan and manage its business in order to deliver its aims and objectives.

Head of Finance & Resources: Richard Burnett

Park Management looks after access, recreation and visitor management. We manage a ranger service as a first and focal point of contact for all the National Park services for the local communities and visitors. We are responsible for the extensive network of public paths and open access across the National Park and promote other appropriate recreational opportunities. We also run the popular Dales Volunteers scheme.

Head of Park Management: Jon Avison

The Planning Department helps prepare applications for planning permission and often oversee the approval of 90% of all applications decided. By law, they have to be consulted on any building or land use changes in the National Park.

Head of Planning: Peter Watson

The Secretariat looks after the Members of the National Park Authority and helps the Chief Executive.  It also provides a high quality legal service on all matters affecting the Authority, particularly planning and rights of way issues, a prosecution and advocacy service, conveyancing, debt collection and contract services.

Chief Executive: David Butterworth